Tokyo is often called a sprawling metropolis, but those mega-city descriptions gloss over its grey-green equilibrium; beyond the neon Tetris blocks of Shinjuku's skyscrapers, and Shibuya's manic crossings, much of the city is quiet, calm and verdant.
Trunk(Hotel)'s latest address, right across the road from one of the city's largest green spaces, Yoyogi Park, was inspired by those more tranquil moments in the city. Located in Tomigaya, a peaceful slice of the busier Shibuya neighbourhood, the third stay from the Japanese hospitality brand has an evanescent quality – you'll walk past its silently operating front door twice before you notice it. Despite being seven floors in height, a soft concrete exterior – and if that sounds like a contradiction, consider that the walls of the property reject the industrial grey of most concrete creations for a textured, darker hue – hides behind fern fronds and other foliage.
Trunk(Hotel)'s latest address, right across the road from one of the city's largest green spaces, Yoyogi Park, was inspired by those more tranquil moments in the city. Located in Tomigaya, a peaceful slice of the busier Shibuya neighbourhood, the third stay from the Japanese hospitality brand has an evanescent quality – you'll walk past its silently operating front door twice before you notice it. Despite being seven floors in height, a soft concrete exterior – and if that sounds like a contradiction, consider that the walls of the property reject the industrial grey of most concrete creations for a textured, darker hue – hides behind fern fronds and other foliage.
The exterior design of Trunk(Hotel) Yoyogi Park was inspired by the surrounding leafy Tomigaya neighbourhood
Japanese architect Keiji Ashizawa formulated the architecture of the hotel, but in a first for the brand, the Copenhagen-based duo behind Norm Architects were also brought in to give direction inside. The western-eastern marriage plays out in the interiors: that grey-green elegance of Tokyo's suburbs is reflected in soft clean lines, plenty of natural materials and a zeal for products handcrafted by Japanese artisans. Even the hotel's signature fragrance marries globe-spanning ingredients: of its 16 scent notes, the piquant ones that tickle your nose when you arrive are Nordic juniper and Japanese sansho pepper.
That's not to say Trunk(Hotel) Yoyogi Park is low-key – green-tinted infinity pool and separate Jacuzzi on the sixth floor says differently, as does the jaw-dropping Owner's Suite, with its views of Yoyogi Park's high canopy and the more-distant spikes of the city's sky-piercing skyscrapers. Instead, it's a wow factor softened by effortless style. And the ethos? The latest hotel in the Trunk trilogy is all about "recharging" – a space in which to relax and revive amid Tokyo's ever-kinetic buzz.
Japanese architect Keiji Ashizawa formulated the architecture of the hotel, but in a first for the brand, the Copenhagen-based duo behind Norm Architects were also brought in to give direction inside. The western-eastern marriage plays out in the interiors: that grey-green elegance of Tokyo's suburbs is reflected in soft clean lines, plenty of natural materials and a zeal for products handcrafted by Japanese artisans. Even the hotel's signature fragrance marries globe-spanning ingredients: of its 16 scent notes, the piquant ones that tickle your nose when you arrive are Nordic juniper and Japanese sansho pepper.
That's not to say Trunk(Hotel) Yoyogi Park is low-key – green-tinted infinity pool and separate Jacuzzi on the sixth floor says differently, as does the jaw-dropping Owner's Suite, with its views of Yoyogi Park's high canopy and the more-distant spikes of the city's sky-piercing skyscrapers. Instead, it's a wow factor softened by effortless style. And the ethos? The latest hotel in the Trunk trilogy is all about "recharging" – a space in which to relax and revive amid Tokyo's ever-kinetic buzz.
Rooms are meticulously designed, with furnishings commissioned from Japanese artisans
All 25 rooms and suites have been meticulously designed, with an oaty colour palette and plenty of soft curves and simple lines used: think cream sofas and chairs, tatami mat-inspired carpets that you'll want to press bare feet into, delicate paper lampshades created by Kyoto's oldest lantern maker, bespoke oak furniture on the balconies, featherlight drinks coasters made from recycled eggshells, and even an ecru-hued soft leather case used to hide the disobliging design of the television remote. In the bathrooms, you'll find own-brand toiletries made from organic ingredients. Opt for a park view to gaze out across the leafy urban expanse.
Rooms
Urban sanctums. Room categories stretch from standard city-view spaces at the back of the property to the ultra-luxe Owner's Suite, a seventh-floor apartment that boasts a separate living area, two open-air terraces, an 8m window stretching across the entire width of the building, and a daring bathroom offering (a shower and tub with views of Yoyogi Park and only a few plants to maintain modesty? We're in).All 25 rooms and suites have been meticulously designed, with an oaty colour palette and plenty of soft curves and simple lines used: think cream sofas and chairs, tatami mat-inspired carpets that you'll want to press bare feet into, delicate paper lampshades created by Kyoto's oldest lantern maker, bespoke oak furniture on the balconies, featherlight drinks coasters made from recycled eggshells, and even an ecru-hued soft leather case used to hide the disobliging design of the television remote. In the bathrooms, you'll find own-brand toiletries made from organic ingredients. Opt for a park view to gaze out across the leafy urban expanse.
What's for breakfast?
Take a seat in the Italian restaurant attached to the hotel, Pizzeria e Trattoria L’Ombelico, overlooking Inokashira Street, for french toast, pancakes, eggs benedict as you like it (salmon, spinach and ham all on offer), cheesy omelettes and fresh fruit bowls.
The Owner's Suite, a seventh-floor apartment, boats a separate living area and two open-air terraces
The wine list sticks to Italy, but we'd recommend considering L’Omeblico’s non-alcoholic offering, too. Granted, the raspberry and camomile "wine" was nothing like a sangiovese – but its tongue-tingling flavours had us ordering a second glass.
How about lunch and dinner?
Pizzeria e Trattoria L’Ombelico specialises in platefuls of pasta, wood-fired pizzas and Italian antipasto. No expense has been spared in bringing la dolce vita to Yoyogi: the gleaming copper pizza oven behind the counter, manned by effortlessly cool, t-shirt wearing staff, is an Italian export. The menu was crafted by Tokyo's L'Arte restaurant.The wine list sticks to Italy, but we'd recommend considering L’Omeblico’s non-alcoholic offering, too. Granted, the raspberry and camomile "wine" was nothing like a sangiovese – but its tongue-tingling flavours had us ordering a second glass.
Is there a bar?
Yes – the light-flooded pool club. It's guests-only and on the sixth floor, set behind a pane of glittering glass beside the rooftop pool, Jacuzzi and sunken, outdoor fire pit. This breezy spot is kitted out with seating in shades of sea, copper lighting and ice-filled counters for an oyster selection that travels from Washington states bays to Japan's rocky Pacific waters. In keeping with the "recharge" concept, the cocktail list is packed with low- and no-alcohol drinks alongside reimagined Japanese favourites. Head here to enjoy sundowners and shells as the setting sun sets Tokyo's glass towers aflame in peachy-pink light.
The hotel is home to one of Tokyo's only rooftop infinity pools
All rooms have impressive minibar offerings that require a good chunk of time to inspect and imbibe. Open the fridge to find own-brand beers brewed in Tokyo, funky cocktails and soft drinks including kombuchas and fresh juices from craft Japanese brands. Our favourite? The sparkling yuzu soda. Then, there are herbal teas and drip coffee bags, plus a stylish Fellow kettle, and elegant glassware and delicate ceramics sourced from Japanese studios. If you fall for the drinkware, a shop a little down the road sells the Trunk look to lovestruck guests.
Food-wise, there's a similarly expansive selection, with CBD chocolate and cricket snacks included. Don't leave without trying the fried, truffle-infused Hokkaido potato cubes – moreish doesn't cut it.
There are also complimentary pyjamas (made exclusively for the hotel by Japanese loungewear brand Steteco) and a beautiful tote bag provided in every room to help you carry your stuff down to the rooftop pool. If the Trunk-branded flip flops labelled "take me home" hadn't taken up the (limited) spare space in our suitcase, we'd have been risking pyjama heist charges by now.
Amenities
An outdoor rooftop pool and Jacuzzi with sunset views of Yoyogi Park and the sparkling spires of Tokyo's skyscrapers sit on the sixth floor – we spotted one guest there no fewer than four times in a 24-hour period.All rooms have impressive minibar offerings that require a good chunk of time to inspect and imbibe. Open the fridge to find own-brand beers brewed in Tokyo, funky cocktails and soft drinks including kombuchas and fresh juices from craft Japanese brands. Our favourite? The sparkling yuzu soda. Then, there are herbal teas and drip coffee bags, plus a stylish Fellow kettle, and elegant glassware and delicate ceramics sourced from Japanese studios. If you fall for the drinkware, a shop a little down the road sells the Trunk look to lovestruck guests.
Food-wise, there's a similarly expansive selection, with CBD chocolate and cricket snacks included. Don't leave without trying the fried, truffle-infused Hokkaido potato cubes – moreish doesn't cut it.
There are also complimentary pyjamas (made exclusively for the hotel by Japanese loungewear brand Steteco) and a beautiful tote bag provided in every room to help you carry your stuff down to the rooftop pool. If the Trunk-branded flip flops labelled "take me home" hadn't taken up the (limited) spare space in our suitcase, we'd have been risking pyjama heist charges by now.
Beside the pool, the light-filled Pool Club serves refreshing cocktails and oysters on ice
The hotel provides guests with a fold-out, illustrated map of staff favourites in the Tomigaya neighbourhood, too. Fuel-up for explorations with a coffee at Seventies-inspired Fuglen around the corner – a café during the day and a coffee-infused, vinyl-playing cocktail spot at night. You're also right on the cusp of Shibuya, and Harajuku and the Meiji Jingu shrine are a walk away.
What are the hotel's eco-credentials like?
The normal deal: large-size, refillable toiletries, attempts to cut down on water use and a push to source restaurant ingredients from as close to the hotel as possible.What about accessibility?
All rooms are accessed via a lift, and suites are barrier-free, with no in-room steps.What's the crowd like?
We spotted Carhartt-clad design couples planning their day's adventures over breakfast, and well-heeled Taiwanese guests taking to the Jacuzzi for a sunset soak.Within a short walk I can find...
The park, of course: a vast, path-threaded natural space full of Tokyoites and their furry flatmates, teenagers taking photos under falling ginkgo leaves and kitted-up runners clocking laps.The hotel provides guests with a fold-out, illustrated map of staff favourites in the Tomigaya neighbourhood, too. Fuel-up for explorations with a coffee at Seventies-inspired Fuglen around the corner – a café during the day and a coffee-infused, vinyl-playing cocktail spot at night. You're also right on the cusp of Shibuya, and Harajuku and the Meiji Jingu shrine are a walk away.
Things I should know
The art displayed throughout the hotel is produced by artists who were unable to receive artistic training, many of whom live with disabilities. All pieces are available to buy.The Lowdown
Doubles cost £327 a night; yoyogipark.trunk-hotel.com